(Deming) – The case against two Santa Fe residents caught at the Columbus port of entry in November allegedly trying to smuggle nearly $125,000 worth of marijuana into New Mexico from Mexico has been dismissed without prejudice. Kathy Porter Rodriguez, and her passenger, Vernon Martinez, who were both age 49 at the time of their arrests, were facing federal drug smuggling charges in connection with the 156 pounds of marijuana seized from the 1996 Dodge Ram truck they were driving. Rodriguez said they had just purchased the truck in Palomas, Mexico, and were driving it back to Santa Fe through the port when they were stopped. The marijuana was detected by a “Buster” density meter which showed high readings consistent with hidden contraband. An x-ray of the truck spotted anomalies in several locations, and the 139 marijuana-filled bundles were removed from hidden compartments in the quarter panels and rear wall of the pickup. Rodriguez and Martinez both said they had no idea the marijuana was hidden in the vehicle. The order dismissing the indictment was signed by U.S. District Judge Joe McDade and filed in U.S. District Court last week.

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